Hi Larry,

I wanted to share this information about an upcoming conference held on February 28, 2009, in Oxford, OH that might be of interest. The website is http://www.ourfarmingfuture.org. Included in this email is a brief press release about the conference, which is also available on the website. Registration is free. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for your time,
John F. Obrycki
2008-2009 Goldman Scholar
Miami University
513-523-8324
http://www.ourfarmingfuture.org

NEWS RELEASE

“FUTURES OF FARMING” CONFERENCE FIELDS TOUGH AG QUESTIONS

Oxford, OH – The “Futures of Farming” conference will be held on February 28, 2009, from 1 – 5 PM at the Marcum Conference Center on Miami University’s Oxford campus. Registration is free, and forms are available through the conference website, www.ourfarmingfuture.org.

The goal of the conference is to critically assess the potential futures for agriculture that exist and foster new ideas and collaborations. With a majority of speakers from Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio, the event has a regional focus, however speakers from other regions of the country will help broaden the conference’s scope. The meeting is open to the general public, and farmers, policymakers, students, industry representatives, and interested citizens are encouraged to attend. By participating in the conference, attendees have the opportunity to learn more about current agricultural efforts in Ohio and throughout the country, as well as how future initiatives can be shaped by their involvement.

John F. Obrycki, the organizer, looks forward to February 28, 2009. “This conference provides a space and a place for all of us to think about where we are headed,” Obrycki said. “I am excited about the ideas that will be shared and the brainstorming that will occur. Thank you to Miami University and the Joanna Jackson Goldman Memorial Prize for making this possible.”

Discussion topics include transferring farmer knowledge, state approaches to the future of agriculture, preserving natural resources, and the dynamic relationship between energy and agricultural practices. There is also an optional session from 5-7 PM that gives attendees and conference participants an opportunity to continue conversations. Dinner is provided, and information is available on the conference registration form. The conference seeks to attract between 150 and 200 attendees.

The conference is funded by the Joanna Jackson Goldman Memorial Prize from Miami University. John F. Obrycki, Miami University ’08, is the organizer and the current Joanna Jackson Goldman Scholar. This prize provides an opportunity for one graduating senior from the university to pursue an independent self-designed project for one year. Visit http://www.cas.muohio.edu/honors/current/goldman.html for more information about the prize.

The “Futures of Farming” website is http://www.ourfarmingfuture.org. Check back often for updates.

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For more information contact:

John F. Obrycki, Joanna Jackson Goldman Scholar, 513-523-8324, obryckjf@muohio.edu Conference website: http://www.ourfarmingfuture.org